“My lord, consider this,” he said. “I have found your daughter an excellent husband from an excellent family who will gladly give you a portion of wealthy lands in exchange for your daughter’s hand. That is an offer any sane man would readily accept.”
Kellen looked at Gallus, shocked. “You…?” he stammered. “Youhave found my daughter a husband?”
Gallus nodded. Then, he looked at Maximus, for it was time to bring him into the conversation. “My brother, Maximus, would like to offer for Lady Courtly’s hand,” he said withsatisfaction. “He will make it a most attractive offer, my lord. Youwillconsider it.”
Kellen looked at Maximus. He simply stared at him, without much emotion at first, but then it was as if Gallus’ words suddenly sank deep and he realized what had just been said. The man’s mouth popped open in outrage and he slammed his fists down on the table hard enough to spill the wine.
“You!” he bellowed. “Iknewyou wanted her! I could tell when you came here last eve that you were determined to have my daughter. Well, I will not have it, do you hear? You cannot have her no matter what you offer. Do you think she can be bought like… like a cow? Is that what you think?”
His anger was not surprising but Gallus and Maximus remained calm, particularly Maximus. He wanted something and he wasn’t going to leave without getting it.
“It is not a cow I am bartering for, my lord,” Maximus said politely. “It is compensation for a daughter I am offering. I want to marry your daughter and I shall. It is your choice whether or not you accept any compensation for her.”
Kellen was drunk and outraged. He stood up, falling over the bench in his haste to move away from the table as Gallus, Maximus, and the de Shera knights rose to their feet. Kellen finally stumbled to his feet, pointing accusing fingers at Maximus.
“Where is my child?” he demanded. “You have her! I want her back!”
Maximus, standing on the other side of the table, crossed his arms stubbornly. “Nay.”
It was the only thing he said. Kellen, expecting something more by way of an answer, realized that it would not be an easy thing to get his daughter back and his hysteria went from bad to worse.
“Give her back to me,” he seethed, going for the broadsword at his side. “Give her back to me or I will kill you!”
The de Shera knights unsheathed their swords as well. Kellen’s bellows had invited the interest of his soldiers, just outside the hall, and when one looked in and happened to see Kellen with his sword drawn, more de Lara swords began to come out. The de Shera soldiers, across the bailey, then saw the de Lara men with weapons and their weapons came out, too. It was a chain reaction that had the de Shera men rushing the de Lara soldiers and, very shortly, the entire bailey deteriorated into a massive brawl.
“This is going badly,” Gallus said, hearing the fighting outside. “Unless we want blood on our hands, I suggest we leave.”
Maximus looked at his brother, stricken. “But…”
Gallus grabbed at him. “We will live to fight another day, Max. We cannot accomplish anything more tonight.”
Maximus was never one to back down from a fight. Moreover, he had an emotional investment in this situation.
“I came to gain his consent in marrying Courtly,” he pointed out as Kellen was fended off by Scott and Troy. “I am not leaving until I have it.”
Gallus shot him an exasperated look. “Can you possibly be serious right now?” he asked. “Look at the man. He will not give his consent tonight. We must leave this place before one or more of us ends up impaled on the end of a broadsword.”
Maximus was quickly growing furious as he watched Kellen do battle against the de Wolfe brothers. It was like watching two cats toy with a mouse. Kellen was a decent knight, but the de Wolfe brothers had their father’s legendary skill. As Gallus tried to pull him away, Maximus yanked himself from his brother’s grasp and charged Kellen, shoving Troy aside and knocking Kellen’s broadsword away with his gloved hand. It was a veryskilled, and very powerful, move. With a great shove, Kellen ended up on his arse, weaponless, as Maximus stood over him.
“Listen to me and listen well,” Maximus growled. “I will marry your daughter with or without your blessing, so you may as well consent. This is not over, not in the least. I will give you until tomorrow morning to come to your senses or I will marry your daughter at first light and there will be nothing you can do about it.”
Kellen tried to kick at Maximus. He was just that angry and frustrated and drunk not to fully realize what he was doing. Infuriated, Maximus stepped on the man’s kicking leg, so hard that Kellen bellowed with pain. At that point, Gallus pulled Maximus off of the man and away from the confrontation. He began pulling his brother towards the door that led out to the kitchen yard.
“Rally the knights!” Gallus shouted.
It was the call that would bring all of his knights to him. Scott and Troy, leaving Kellen on the ground, were heading in his direction but Stefan was at the great hall entry, fighting off any de Lara soldiers who were trying to come inside. He was having a marvelous time with it but Scott whistled loudly between his teeth, catching Stefan’s attention.
“Du Bois!” he called. “Come now!”
Giving one last de Lara soldier a poke, Stefan broke off and ran after the de Wolfe and de Shera brothers, following them out into the kitchen yard. There were no soldiers here, yet, but it was only a matter of time. There was a gate the connected the kitchen yard to the bailey and Gallus made his way towards it. Before he could reach it, however, a woman emerged from the shadows of the yard.
“Sir Maximus!” she hissed.
All five knights came to a halt as Ellice emerged from the darkness. She knew Maximus on sight, as she had seen himearlier in the day when he had come to Kennington along with Lady de Shera. Maximus peered at the woman he recalled seeing that morning.
“You are Lady Ellice,” he said. “Your niece told me who you are.”
Ellice nodded quickly, nervous as she heard sounds of fighting. “I am,” she said. “Where is Courtly?”
